VERTICAL RECEIVES CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY (CFIA) CERTIFICATION – DECEMBER 17th, 2024

Vertical Exploration Inc. has secured a significant regulatory milestone with the receipt of a new five-year permit from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for its branded Global Wollastonite Agricultural Calcium Silicate product. The certification applies to production from the company's St-Onge quarry located in Quebec, positioning Vertical to continue supplying the agricultural market with its specialized wollastonite products.

The CFIA certification represents a critical regulatory approval that validates the quality and safety standards of Vertical's wollastonite production for agricultural applications. Wollastonite, a calcium silicate mineral, is valued in agricultural settings for its ability to improve soil structure and provide essential nutrients to crops. The five-year duration of this permit provides Vertical with regulatory certainty and operational stability for its agricultural product line.

This certification reinforces Vertical's position in the specialized industrial minerals sector, particularly in the growing agricultural technology market where calcium silicate products are increasingly recognized for their soil enhancement properties. The regulatory approval enables the company to maintain and potentially expand its market presence in the agricultural sector, supporting revenue generation from its Quebec operations.

Looking forward, this CFIA certification provides Vertical with a competitive advantage in marketing its wollastonite products to agricultural customers who require certified, regulatory-compliant soil amendments. The five-year term offers the company substantial runway to develop its agricultural market segment while maintaining the operational flexibility to optimize production at the St-Onge facility.